Patricia Moore

died peacefully October 8 at age 66 surrounded by family at home in Wayne, New Jersey, after a courageous four-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Daughter of the late Michael and Regina Mary (D’Amelio) Josephs Sr., she was raised in Paterson and had lived in Wayne for the past 30 years.

With a passion for helping and an innate ability to see people as people, she was a New Jersey-licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 35 years alongside her cherished, devoted husband, Robert C. Moore IV, at the family-owned and -operated Moore’s Home for Funerals (Wayne).

Her funeral ministry helped thousands of families create beautiful life celebrations for those they loved and allowed people to find a sense of hope and light during life’s darkest hours. A staunch advocate for funeral service, Moore was an active and engaged member of the Passaic County Funeral Directors Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and NFDA. Within each organization, she served on numerous committees, all with the objective of preserving and strengthening the important role funeral directors play in society as they serve and help the living by caring for the dead.

Moore was an integral part of the fabric of both NJSFDA and NFDA for many years while her husband served in numerous leadership positions in both associations. Traveling together frequently around New Jersey, the United States and internationally, the pair promoted the value of the funeral and the rewards of becoming part of this noble profession. Moore’s unique ability to welcome people and bring them together, along with her expertise as a working funeral director, made her an asset to the mission.

Moore’s faith was a window into her soul, where one would see her steadfast and loving heart whose actions spoke her truth. That truth was grounded in the love of family and friends, and she was as devoted to her best friend and life partner, Rob, as he was to her, for more than 37 years. They were blessed with a son, Robby, truly the light in his mother’s eye and of whom she was extremely proud.

Moore will be remembered by many for her variety of hobbies, including cooking Italian delicacies, decorating her home and the funeral home at Christmas, her knowledge of the locations of the best beaches and her mastery of fine wines. It will always be said of Pat Moore that, with a ferocious passion, she did things her way and invited everyone else along for the ride, which was always a fun one.

Moore’s words and deeds allowed countless others to see goodness and compassion in the world. She rests now in the sweetest peace and until we are all reunited again in that place where there will be no pain or suffering but only light, peace and hope, we honor her by being a bit more compassionate and loving to all God’s children.

She is survived by loving husband Robert Cowell Moore IV; her son, Robert Cowell Moore V and his partner, Kyle Mesce; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathryn and Michael Manza and Lynn Marie and Diego Lezcano; two brothers and sisters-in-law, James “Shemp” Sr. and Judith Josephs, and Michael “Spec” and Lisa Josephs; “Aunt” Jay and “Uncle” Bob Tubman; extended family; and dear friends from all around the world.